|
|
WHO ARE THE SALESIANS? |
|
The Salesian work began with a simple catechism lesson, which St. John Bosco gave to a sixteen-year-old bricklayer’s apprentice. From that time on, the Salesians have worked to bring the good news of God’s love to the young, especially the poorest and those most in need. As Don Bosco himself put it: "It’s enough that you are young for me to love you!"
Talented, charismatic and generous, St. John Bosco was a genius with the young, especially those who were unemployed or in trouble. As a young priest he realized his dreams with great pastoral inventiveness and daring. Without doubt he was one of the greatest educators of his time (1815-1888). Indeed, his far-sightedness with regard to the young is only being fully appreciated today. As a young priest he taught the young to read and write, and instructed them in a wide variety of trades so that they could earn a livelihood. Above all, he became their trusted friend. In order to carry on his work, he founded a religious community of priests and brothers. It was called the Society of St. Francis of Sales after his own favourite saint, whose gentleness and kindness he wanted them to imitate. Today they are known as the Salesians of Don Bosco (SDB).
Don Bosco was a man of great vision and soon realized the importance of extending
his youth work to girls. He enlisted the help of Mary Mazzarello to found
the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (FMA), now simply known as the Salesian
Sisters. Today there are almost 35,000 Salesians and Sisters working for the
young at home and on the missions in well over 100 countries. They are actively
involved in all kinds of pastoral, educational and catechetical programs on
behalf of young people. Their lifestyle, like that of their two saintly founders,
is characterized by cheerfulness, friendliness and a deep love of Christ in
the young.
As people who care for the young, Salesians recognize the importance
of walking with young people, encouraging and guiding gently. We believe that
there is a treasure in each person and we are somehow called to help the young
find their inner treasure, name it and use it to build a better world. Fired
by the spirit of Don Bosco we celebrate God’s presence in the young
and the poor. Together with them we struggle to make real in our lives and
our world the values of the gospel. We stand by the many young and poor who
experience little dignity and worth, and for whom Gospel and Church have little
meaning.
- Salesian Saints -
Saint John Bosco has inspired thousands of people, young and old, priests,
brothers, sisters and lay people, to strive for holiness in their lives. The
Church has recognized many of them as outstanding in holiness and deserving
the titles of Saint, Blessed, Venerable or Servant of God. We, too, can be
inspired by reading about their lives.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BEING A SAINT... IMPOSSIBLE??? |
|
The short accounts which appear on these pages are based on those appearing on the web site of the Salesians in Rome, http://www.sdb.org
Salesians first arrived in South Africa in 1896. Today there are 44 Salesian priests and brothers along with 20 Salesian sisters working with children and youth at 9 locations within the country. Projects include youth centres, parishes, schools, and programs for street children. Under the same Provincial structure, Salesians are also operating projects in Swaziland and Lesotho.
All Salesian education programs are based on the Don Bosco Preventive System, which in turn is based on reason, ethics and loving kindness.
The Salesians actively participate in moral and social uplifting programs and education which impact on youth by providing them with the following:
· A deep sense of dignity through the discovery and valuation of personal resources;
· An opportunity for students to take initiative and actively participate in making decisions about their own lives and environment;
· A sense of responsibility and obligation.
· An appreciation for the social and cultural values of the community.
To achieve their objectives, the Salesians use, in conjunction with schools and parishes, educational structures known as ‘youth centres’ which are places where you learn to love and be loved, and a school where you can learn how to live and work.
The youth centre provides youth of both genders with vocational education, technical training, job placement, medical care and health education, and human development programs Personal development and growth are promoted through communication, self-esteem and self-evaluation courses, setting short-term and long-term goals, and providing opportunities to make decisions. Youth leadership training courses and other programs which are intended to recognize student’s potential are also held.
Youth learn group dynamics and management and they learn to identify personal leadership qualities. The programs cover courses on hygiene, first aid, infectious diseases such as cholera, STDs, HIV/AIDS (You want to know more) , the importance of vaccination, abuse of drugs, alcohol, tobacco and toxic substances, sex education and family planning.
Local community @ Bosco Youth Centre
” Our Salesian community in 2003
consists of the following members:
|
Family picture |
Who are they? |
What are they doing? |
|
|
- Fr Dino Miotto |
School principal & bursar |
Also part of the wider educative and evangelizing community at Bosco are:
Ü Sister Cecilia & Sister Judith (from the Salesian sisters community in Clonlea)
Ü Bafeletse, Mapule, Donavan, Nicholas and Sabelo (SA Volunteer Members of the Youth Ministry Team 2003)
Ü Aurelien and Vivien (FIDESCO Volunteers from France)
- Our mission at Bosco House -
Our mission in the Youth Pastoral Centre, the Parish and Michael Rua School,
is:
U
to prepare the faithful, especially youth to play a meaningful role in society
and the local church;
U
to help them grow to the maturity required for the commitments of Christian
living;
U
to evangelize and create greater educational opportunities for the poor local
youth.
Faithful to the mission and spirit of Don Bosco, and united in our apostolic efforts, we strive to be evangelizers of young people by friendly and personal contact with them.
To fulfill this mission the community:
R
Seeks to be a welcoming community that values prayer and pastoral outreach
R
Gives due attention to personal and communitarian ongoing growth
R
Promotes collaborative ministry with the laity, in particular, through the
volunteers' project, Parish pastoral council and the school governing board at
Michael Rua.
R
Animates the Salesian Family in our locality towards a collaborative vision of
Don Bosco’s ministry to youth;
R
Provides, in partnership with the Diocese of Johannesburg, a suitable venue for
youth gatherings, and together with other pastoral workers of the local church,
spiritual and human development programs.
Where are we working?
- At Bosco
Centre |
 |
God needs you!
Join the salesian of Don Bosco and work with the Youth!
|
|
Fr Francois Dufour |
|
